Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars
These salted caramel apple pie bars combine the classic flavors of apple pie with the decadence of salted caramel, featuring a buttery crust and crispy topping.
Ingredients
Crust
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
Apple Filling
- 2 large apples, peeled and thinly sliced (1/4 inch thick)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Streusel Topping
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned whole rolled oats
- 1/3 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
For Serving
- 1 jar Homemade salted caramel or store-bought caramel sauce Drizzle over bars before serving.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 300°F (149°C). Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Stir until well mixed.
- Gradually add the flour to the butter mixture. Stir until combined, then press the mixture evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 15 minutes.
Apple Filling
- In a large bowl, toss the thinly sliced apples with the flour, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg until the apples are evenly coated.
Streusel Topping
- In another bowl, mix the oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour. Cut in the cold cubed butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Baking
- Increase the oven temperature to 350°F (177°C). Layer the apple filling over the warmed crust. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the apples. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender.
- Let the bars cool in the pan for about 20 minutes. Then, refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow them to set completely before cutting them into bars.
- Drizzle with salted caramel sauce just before serving for a beautiful finish.
Notes
Feel free to swap apples with other fruits like pears or peaches. For added spices, use ground ginger or cloves. For a nutty twist, add chopped walnuts to the streusel topping. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 2gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 8gSodium: 160mgFiber: 2gSugar: 25g